A call to arms
SHARPEN your pikes and dust off your broadswords – you Souters are wanted to fill the ranks and help re-enact the Battle of Philiphaugh in time for its anniversary next year, writes Mark Entwistle.
September 13, 2010, will see the 365th anniversary of the battle, when the Royalist army of the Marquess of Montrose was destroyed by the Covenanter army of Sir David Leslie in 1645.
The battle was to prove a turning point in the Civil War in Scotland.
The war-hardened troops of the Covenanters substantially outnumbered the royalists and Montrose’s army and the myth of his invincibility were both shattered on the bloody battlefield outside Selkirk.
The inspiration for the plan to restage the battle to mark next year’s anniversary has come from the popular reaction to a mini-re-enactment of the battle at last weekend’s Salmon Homecoming event staged at Philiphaugh Estate.The two-day programme of activities was centred round the fish viewing centre on the Ettrick Water, which allowed visitors to witness the spectacle of the autumn salmon run.
But organisers are now keen to capitalise on the popularity of the displays of the handling of weaponry of the period of the 17th century battle by six costumed historical re-enactors.
Event organiser Julie Nock told The Wee Paper: “The 365th anniversary of the Battle of Philiphaugh is next year and we would like to form a committee of interested people from the public and private sector to work toward a battle re-enactment next September.
“If any one is interested in joining us, including school and theatre groups, they can email me at info@philiphaugh.com”
Well-known local historian and author Walter Elliot says the battle was ‘rerun’ a number of years ago by the famous group of Civil War enthusiasts, The Sealed Knot Society.
“When the Sealed Knot Society did it, they had about 100 people taking part and it was very good,” Walter, who was at Philiphaugh on Sunday, told us.
“I think Philiphaugh would be a good battle to re-enact and I do think such events are a popular way of explaining history and bringing it to life for people.
“It’s not a difficult period to do from the point of view of the costumes and the weaponry is mostly pikes, muskets, broadswords and small cannons.”
And Mr Elliot says he had been impressed by the six re-enactors at Philiphaugh on Sunday: “I thought they were very good – that cannon certainly made a bit of a bang!”
Salmon Homecoming picture special, turn to page 12
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Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 05 February 2012
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Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
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